Dachshund Dog Breed Information

Group

Hounds

Weight

7-14.5 kg

Height

20-23 cm

Lifespan

12-15 years

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About the Dachshund

Reviewed by:

Dr. Julia Brassel

Veterinarian

Affectionately known as a doxie, sausage dog, and even a wiener dog, Dachshunds are instantly recognisable with their iconic short legs and long bodies. If you’re considering bringing a Dachshund into your family, you’re in the right place!

In this Dachshund breed guide, we’ve got everything you need to know as a would-be owner, from the breed’s history to training and feeding advice. To find out if a Dachshund is right for you, read on for more information.

What is the history & origin of the Dachshund?

Pronounced DAKS-hund, Dachshunds were originally bred in medieval Europe as ground hunters. In Germany, they were used to hunt badgers and flush them out. With their elongated bodies and muzzles, they were the perfect breed for finding the badgers in their tunnels underground and nosing them out.

In German, Dachshund translates to badger hunter, with the word “Dachs” meaning badger and “hund” meaning dog in German. The original Dachshunds weighed around 13kg so they were bigger than the sausage dogs we know today.

After a while, people started breeding smaller Dachshunds to hunt rabbits and other small game. Eventually, the breed arrived in the UK during the mid-19th century. It was reported that Prince Albert brought a Dachshund over from Germany as a gift for Queen Victoria.

Then in 1884, the American Kennel Club (AKC) registered the first Dachshunds as German Badger Hounds, with the Dachshund Club being formed in 1895.

What is a Dachshund breed?

A small dog breed, this German “badger dog” comes in 3 types – the Kaninchen, Standard and Miniature Dachshunds, although only standards and miniatures are recognised by the AKC. There are also three coat types – smooth, long, and wire-haired.

The smooth coat is short to medium in length and has a straight texture. Longhaired Dachshunds have a longer coat which usually has a slight wave to it, whereas Wirehaired Dachshunds have rough overcoats and soft undercoats.

Learn more about: Dachshund Colours

Who is a Dachshund best for?

Stubborn, cuddly, playful, and feisty – the little Dachshund is a complex character! If it’s trained properly, a Dachshund will make an excellent companion and a loving family dog. But, if it doesn’t receive the right education, this dog can become hard to control.

Dachshunds love a challenge and if they’re given lots of opportunities to find and chase things, you’ll have a very happy dog! These small dogs adore their pet parents and they do become quite attached.

This may result in separation anxiety and if they’re left on their own for too long, they’re likely to start chewing up your house! For this reason, they’re best suited to people that will be at home most of the time, such as those who work remotely.

If you do need to leave your pooch on their own for a little while, you can stop your brand new sofa from becoming a victim of a sausage dog assault by using a kennel or cage. If you do use a cage, remember to take your dog’s collar off whilst it’s in it to prevent it from catching it on the cage and injuring itself.

Dachshund Grooming & Shedding

Because they don’t shed too heavily, Dachshunds are quite low maintenance and don’t need much grooming. Smooth-haired Dachshunds only need brushing a few times a month and they only need occasional bathing, or as needed if they decide to roll in something smelly!

When you do bathe your pooch, be sure to use a gentle dog shampoo. A Wire-haired or Long-haired Dachshund will need brushing weekly and your longhair will need bathing and blow-drying regularly to maintain a soft and healthy coat.

Learn more about: Dachshund Grooming Tips & Styles

Do Dachshunds bark a lot?

They may be little, but don’t underestimate this little dogs’ voice! They have a deep loud bark that doesn’t match their tiny stature. They also know how to use this big voice so you may want to take this into consideration if you have neighbours that are likely to get annoyed by your small-but-mighty dog’s antics!

They are vigilant watchdogs so excessive barking is quite common with this breed. This could also be a problem if you have a baby, where you’re trying to keep noise to a minimum.

What is the average weight & height of a Dachshund dog?

When they’re fully mature, Standard Dachshunds weigh between 7-14.5kg whereas a Miniature Dachshund should weigh a maximum of 5kg. There’s no official standard for the breed’s height but these little dogs typically reach up to 23cm tall.

If your Dachshund weighs between 5-7.3kg, it’s what’s known as a Tweenie. Although this isn’t officially recognised, Tweenies won’t be penalized in a show ring.

Learn more about: Dachshund Size & Weight Chart

Are Dachshunds easy to train?

Unfortunately, a Dachsund’s combination of intelligence and stubbornness can make them very hard to train. Because they thrive on affection, they typically respond well to reward-based, positive reinforcement training.

Because they have an unbeatable sense of smell and a strong prey drive, your Dachshund can easily become distracted and their attention on you may fade quickly. Because of this, a Dachsund probably isn’t a good choice for first-time owners, unless you’re willing to put in consistency and patience.

Learn more about: Dachshund Training Guide – Crate, Toilet & More Tips!

How do Dachshunds behave? A look at their temperament and personality

Dachshunds are very affectionate and friendly with their humans. If trained properly, they can be great with older children, but like every dog, your Dachshund should always be supervised around them.

Despite their petite size, a Dachshund’s temperament is playful, curious, and tenacious. Most doxie’s are very brave and won’t hesitate to take on dogs that are double their size!

Learn more about: Dachshund Temperament & Personality Traits

Does the Dachshund have any common health issues?

Like many purebred dogs, Dachshunds are at risk of developing certain health issues. They’re more likely to experience:

Cushing’s Syndrome: Excess cortisol production can lead to increased thirst, frequent urination, and a pot-bellied appearance.
Epilepsy: Seizures can vary in severity, impacting your dog’s quality of life and requiring management.
Eye Defects: Conditions like cataracts can affect vision, potentially leading to blindness if untreated.
Thyroid Issues: Hormonal imbalances can cause weight gain, lethargy, and skin problems.
Autoimmune Problems: Dysfunction in the immune system can lead to various health issues, affecting overall well-being.
Dental Disease: Common in small breeds, it can result in pain, tooth loss, and infections if not managed properly.
Patellar Luxation: Dislocation of the kneecap can cause pain and mobility issues, affecting the dog’s ability to walk or run.
Ear Infections: Frequent in floppy-eared breeds, these can cause discomfort and lead to more serious health concerns if not treated.
Back Problems (IVDD): Due to their elongated spine, they are prone to herniated discs, which can cause significant pain and mobility challenges. Regular vet checks are crucial for prevention and early intervention.

More importantly, Dachshunds are susceptible to back problems, including herniated or slipped disks because of their elongated frame. Many Dachshunds will develop IVDD, so you must take care of your dog’s spine and give them regular vet checks.

Learn more about: Common Dachshund Health Issues

What is the lifespan of a Dachshund?

The average lifespan for a Dachshund is 12-15 years, although if your pooch is healthy it could live longer.

One of the oldest recognised Dachshunds was called Chanel who lived in New York. She reached 21 years of age and was even featured in the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s oldest dog!

How much does a Dachshund need to be fed?

Because of their small stature, your Dachshund won’t need to eat a lot. Typically, 1.4 cups of dog food is the recommended amount. This should be provided in two meals, rather than all at once to prevent bloating.

High-quality food will help to prevent many health problems, so try to buy the most premium food possible. It should also be age-appropriate as your Dachshund puppy will need different food to an adult. Be sure to talk to your vet if you’re not sure what to feed your furry friend.

Learn more about: What to Feed a Dachshund? Diet & Feeding Chart

How much can you expect to pay for a Dachshund in Australia?

If you’re searching for a Dachshund to add to your family, be prepared to fork out anywhere from $700-$3000. Like other pure dog breeds, responsibly and well-bred Dachshunds aren’t cheap, so be very wary of adverts offering cheap puppies for sale.

Would-be dachshund owners should look for a reputable breeder to ensure they get a healthy pup. When you meet with potential breeders, be sure to ask plenty of questions about how their dogs are bred, as well as asking to see the parents.

Learn more about: Dachshund Prices In Australia

Dachshund FAQs

How smart is the Dachshund dog breed?

Although they’re not at the top of the list of the most intelligent breeds, Dachshunds are smart dogs. They’re also playful and mischievous which can make them challenging to train!

Do cross-breed or mixed-breed Dachshunds make good pets?

This depends on which other breed the Dachshund was bred with. If the other parent breed has a calm and laidback personality, it’ll probably make a good family pet. However, as with any dog, how well suited they are to pet life depends on how they’re raised, educated, and socialised.

Do Dachshund puppies get on well with other dogs?

As long as your doxie puppy is mixed well with other dogs from a young age, there’s no reason why it won’t get along with other pets. Given the playful nature of the breed, a doxie puppy would probably enjoy having a playmate!

Where can I find a Dachshund puppy?

If you do a quick internet search you’ll find lots of puppies for sale, from both private and professional breeders. However, it’s important to exercise caution when searching online. Be sure to avoid puppy mills where puppies are bred in poor conditions and offered for incredibly cheap prices.

Responsible and reputable breeders will be happy to answer any queries you may have and will have their puppies vaccinated and dewormed before they go to their new homes.